Definition
The grim but necessary practice of ensuring enemy combatants are actually deceased and not playing possum with a grenade. A final insurance policy against surprise encores.
Example Usage
Perform dead checks on all enemy positions before we consolidate—last thing we need is someone popping up after we pass.
Origin
Combat tactics terminology, formalized during WWII urban combat operations
Fun Fact
This controversial practice exists in a legal gray area under the Laws of Armed Conflict, making it one of those things everybody does but nobody puts in the official after-action report.
Source: Infantry combat tactics and ROE guidelines
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See “dead check” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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